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| Both Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morale picked the Toronto Maple Leafs to select Auston Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. |
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Well, you've come to the right place! The Neutral Zone has the latest 2016 NHL mock drafts from Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com to give you who the experts feel the teams picking in the first round of this year's draft will pick!
Check out their pieces below:
Adam Kimelman's Mock Draft:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs -- Auston Matthews, C, Zurich (SUI)
The Maple Leafs can end their search for a franchise center. Matthews (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) answered any lingering questions about who should go No. 1 with an outstanding performance at the 2016 IIHF World Championship (six goals, three assists).
2. Winnipeg Jets -- Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara (FIN)
Laine already has NHL-ready size (6-4, 206) and talent, which he again showed by winning MVP of the World Championship with seven goals and five assists in 10 games. He should step into a top-six role next season.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets -- Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat (FIN)
The talented playmaker can drive the offense with great speed and puckhandling skill. But the 6-3, 203-pound forward also has shown himself to be a responsible player in the defensive zone, and knows how to use his size and strength to win battles along the wall.
4. Edmonton Oilers -- Olli Juolevi, D, London (OHL)
The Oilers find the defenseman they need to help transition the puck to their talented group of forwards. Juolevi also can carry it himself to create offense. He had no problem adjusting to the smaller North American rinks, and has room to add strength to his 6-2, 182-pound frame.
5. Vancouver Canucks -- Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL)
General manager Jim Benning said he was looking for a top-line forward with the fifth pick, and Tkachuk has the skill to fill that role. The 6-1, 200-pound forward attacks the net in the offensive zone. He has the skill and strength to go there with the puck and the soft hands to tip shots and get to rebounds.
6. Calgary Flames -- Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
The Flames allowed the most goals in the League this season but would be hard-pressed to pass up a big (6-2, 201), skilled forward versatile enough to play all three forward spots. Dubois at left wing to clear room for Johnny Gaudreau must be an appealing thought to GM Brad Treliving.
7. Arizona Coyotes -- Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)
Chychrun has NHL size (6-2, 205) and an outstanding feel for the game. An all-around defenseman who can jump into the play or hang back and play strong in the defensive zone.
8. Buffalo Sabres -- Alexander Nylander, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
The Sabres are solid through the middle of the ice with Ryan O'Reilly and Jack Eichel. Now it's time to find them some scoring options on the wing, and that could start with Nylander (6-0, 180), a dynamic skater who excelled in his first OHL season.
9. Montreal Canadiens -- Logan Brown, C, Windsor (OHL)
Two of the biggest needs for the Canadiens are big forwards and depth through the middle. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Brown supplies both. He's a Joe Thornton-esque playmaker more than a goal scorer, but there's lots of room for him to grow his game, both skill-wise and strength-wise.
10. Colorado Avalanche -- Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL)
The Russian-born left-shot defender showed skill and snarl in his first North American season. He has NHL-ready size (6-2, 205), and scored 17 goals in 67 games. He could step right into the Avalanche lineup next season.
11. New Jersey Devils -- Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
The Devils scored the fewest goals in the League last season, so an offensive upgrade is in order. McLeod (6-2, 188) has great speed and showed this season he can set up linemates or finish plays at the net.
12. Ottawa Senators -- Jake Bean, D, Calgary (WHL)
The offensive-minded left-shot defender led WHL defensemen with 24 goals in 68 games this season. At 6-1 and 172 pounds, he needs to get stronger, but his skating and offensive game would help energize the Senators offense.
13. Carolina Hurricanes -- Clayton Keller, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
Keller is the latest small-stature player (5-9, 168) to put up huge numbers entering his draft season; he had 107 points in 62 games with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program under-18 team. He's headed to Boston University next season and should get stronger. Eventually he could add high-end skill to the Hurricanes lineup.
14. Boston Bruins -- Julien Gauthier, RW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL)
The Bruins lack depth on the right side and Gauthier certainly supplies that. The 6-3, 225-pound forward had 41 goals in 54 games this season, and also was the only 2016 draft-eligible player to make Canada's roster for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship
15. Minnesota Wild -- Max Jones, LW, London (OHL)
Size and physicality up front is a need for the Wild, and the 6-2, 203-pound Jones supplies it, along with top-end skill that saw him score 28 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He needs to tame some of the wildness that got him 106 penalty minutes and a 12-game suspension in the OHL playoffs, but that should come with maturity.
16. Detroit Red Wings -- Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton (BCHL)
The Red Wings need to get some younger defensemen into the pipeline, but they will be able to wait for Fabbro (6-0, 189) to mature at Boston University. He had 67 points in 45 games, and scouts also like his defensive awareness and ability to read the play.
17. Nashville Predators -- Charles McAvoy, D, Boston University (H-EAST)
The Predators traded defenseman Seth Jones during the season and Shea Weber will turn 31 in August, so it makes sense for them to start building some depth at the position. McAvoy (6-0, 208) had a solid freshman season at Boston University with 25 points in 37 games and earned a spot with the United States at the World Junior Championship. Scouts like his skating, mobility and work ethic.
18. Philadelphia Flyers -- Riley Tufte, LW, Blaine (HIGH-MN)
Flyers GM Ron Hextall has said he wants to get bigger up front. Tufte will need time at the University of Minnesota Duluth to develop his game, but at 6-4 and 205 pounds he has what Philadelphia is looking for. A good skater with a hard shot, he also is good at winning board battles. He was Mr. Hockey in Minnesota and had 10 goals in 27 games against better competition with Fargo of the USHL.
19. New York Islanders -- Logan Stanley, D, Windsor (OHL)
Some physicality on defense would help and at 6-7 and 225 pounds, Stanley brings that element. He skates well for a player his size and likely will continue to improve. He won't be a big offensive producer, but could look pretty solid as the defensive half of a future pairing with Ryan Pulock.
20. Arizona Coyotes (from New York Rangers) -- German Rubtsov, C, Team Russia U18 (RUS)
The 6-2, 178-pound forward had a solid offensive season with 26 points in 28 games, but scouts also like his hockey sense and defensive-zone play. Those two qualities that would make him a good fit on a Dave Tippett-coached team.
21. Carolina Hurricanes (from Los Angeles Kings) -- Tyson Jost, C, Penticton (BCHL)
The talented center had an outstanding season with 42 goals and 104 points in 48 games. Jost (6-0, 194) will face a higher level of play next season at the University of North Dakota, but he has the look of another building block for the Carolina offense.
22. Winnipeg Jets (from Chicago Blackhawks) -- Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack (BCHL)
Two of the Jets' top defensemen, Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom, are 31, so now is the time to start looking to the future. Cholowski (6-0, 170) is an excellent skater with top-end hockey sense. He'll look to get stronger next season at St. Cloud State.
23. Florida Panthers -- Alexander DeBrincat, RW, Erie (OHL)
DeBrincat has played alongside top-end centers Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome the past two seasons, but you still have to be pretty talented to score 102 goals in 128 games, especially with a 5-7, 163-pound frame. He anticipates the game well and has a quick release on an accurate shot.
24. Anaheim Ducks -- Kieffer Bellows, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
A 50-goal scorer this season with the NTDP U-18 team, Bellows (6-0, 196) would bring some needed skill along the wing to the organizational pipeline. He'll spend next season developing his game at Boston University, but scouts already like his shot and his willingness to use it in all areas of the ice.
25. Dallas Stars -- Nathan Bastian, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
The 6-3, 205-pound power forward was the third skater on a line with Nylander and McLeod and did a lot of the grunt work along the walls and in front of the net. His skating needs to get better, but he has a strong, accurate shot and can get it off quickly.
26. Washington Capitals -- Lucas Johansen, D, Kelowna (WHL)
The Capitals need to add some young defensemen to their organization and there's no better place to find one than Kelowna, which has produced, among others, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber and Tyson Barrie. Johansen (6-1, 176), the younger brother of Nashville's Ryan Johansen, excels at using his skating to attack offensively and defend.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning -- Vitaly Abramov, RW, Gatineau (QMJHL)
In his first season in North America, Abramov led QMJHL rookies with 38 goals and 93 points. He's 5-9 and 175 pounds but is a highly competitive player with a quick, accurate shot.
28. St. Louis Blues -- Pascal Laberge, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
With David Backes a 32-year-old impending free agent and Paul Stastny (30), this could be a good time for the Blues to start building for the future through the middle. Laberge (6-1, 172) had 68 points in 56 games; he's a smart playmaker who is willing to work for pucks along the wall.
*29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose Sharks) -- Luke Kunin, C, Wisconsin (BIG 10)
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are 30 years old but should still be useful players when Kunin (5-11, 193) is ready to make an impact. He had 32 points in 34 games as a college freshman and will get top-end coaching next season from Tony Granato.
*30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh Penguins) -- Boris Katchouk, LW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
The 6-1, 192-pound forward had 24 goals and 51 points in 63 games, but also showed himself to be a versatile player who can kill penalties and be physical when needed.
*- to be determined at end of Stanley Cup Final
- - - - -
Mike G. Morreale's Mock Draft:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews, C, Zurich (SUI)
Matthews (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) was second in the voting for most valuable player this season and won the Rising Star award in National League A, Switzerland's top professional league, with 24 goals and 46 points in 36 games.
2. Winnipeg Jets - Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara (FIN)
Laine (6-4, 206) helped Tappara win the championship in Liiga, Finland's top professional league, with 10 goals and 15 points in 18 playoff games. He won the Jari Kurri Trophy as postseason MVP, and also won the MVP at the 2016 IIHF World Championship while helping Finland win the bronze medal.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat (FIN)
Puljujarvi (6-3, 203) led all scorers and was named MVP for gold medalist Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship with 17 points (five goals).
4. Edmonton Oilers - Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL)
Tkachuk (6-1, 200) is intelligent and incredibly strong, and shows it in hard areas of the ice. The Oilers could use him in their top six, and adding Tkachuk could allow GM Peter Chiarelli to trade a forward for an established defenseman and fill another need.
5. Vancouver Canucks - Olli Juolevi, D, London (OHL)
Juolevi (6-2, 182) had nine goals, 42 points and a plus-38 rating while playing big minutes in all situations for London. He also had three goals, 14 points and a plus-15 rating in 18 OHL playoff games.
6. Calgary Flames - Alexander Nylander, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
Nylander (6-0, 180) has good separation speed and led Mississauga with 28 goals, nine power-play goals and 75 points in 57 games as a rookie.
7. Arizona Coyotes - Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Dubois (6-2, 201) plays with an edge, has good vision and exhibits good hands in tight spaces. He led Cape Breton with 57 assists, 99 points and a plus-40 rating in 62 games.
8. Buffalo Sabres - Tyson Jost, C, Penticton (BCHL)
Jost (5-11, 191) is committed to the University of North Dakota in 2016-17. He had 42 goals, 104 points, 14 power-play goals and seven game-winning goals in 48 games.
9. Montreal Canadiens - Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)
Chychrun (6-2, 205) is a good skater with offensive instincts and defensive awareness. He enjoys playing physical, and had 11 goals, 49 points and a plus-23 rating in 62 games.
10. Colorado Avalanche - Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL)
Sergachev (6-2, 208), named the best defenseman in the OHL, had 17 goals, 57 points, and 31 power-play points in 67 games as a rookie.
11. New Jersey Devils - Logan Brown, C, Windsor (OHL)
Brown (6-6, 220) is the big center the Devils desperately crave for their prospect pool. He has good hands and is difficult to contain when driving to the net. He had 21 goals, 74 points, and 29 power-play points in 59 games. He also won 53.0 percent of his faceoffs (609 of 1,148).
12. Ottawa Senators - Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
The creative McLeod (6-2, 188) led Mississauga in shorthanded goals (four) and was second in goals (21) and points (61). He has a fantastic work ethic that makes him tough to defend.
13. Carolina Hurricanes - Clayton Keller, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
Keller (5-9, 168), committed to Boston University for 2016-17, led USA Hockey's National Team Development Program under-18 team with 70 assists and 107 points in 62 games. He had four goals and 14 points in seven games to help the United States to the bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
14. Boston Bruins - Charles McAvoy, D, Boston University (H-EAST)
The right-shot defender (6-0, 208) was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team after he had three goals, 25 points, a plus-10 rating and 39 blocked shots in 37 games as a freshman.
15. Minnesota Wild - Jake Bean, D, Calgary (WHL)
The 6-foot, 173-pound left-shot defender Western Hockey League defensemen with 24 goals, and he had 64 points in 68 games in his second full WHL season.
16. Detroit Red Wings - Luke Kunin, C, University of Wisconsin (BIG10)
A lethal finisher capable of creating offense each shift, the right-shooting Kunin (6-0, 193) was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team after leading Wisconsin with 19 goals, five power-play goals and 127 shots on goal in 34 games.
17. Nashville Predators - Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton (BCHL)
Fabbro (6-0, 189), committed to Boston University for 2016-17, was named the top defenseman in the British Columbia Hockey League after leading all players at his position with 67 points (14 goals, 53 assists) in 45 games.
18. Philadelphia Flyers - Julien Gauthier, RW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL)
Gauthier (6-3, 225) is a prototypical power forward who can skate well, score and play with an edge. He had 41 goals, including 11 power-play goals, and 57 points in 54 games. He was the only draft-eligible player to earn a roster spot for Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
19. New York Islanders - Max Jones, LW, London (OHL)
Jones (6-2, 203) is good at tracking pucks, plays with an edge and knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage. He had 28 goals (including five game-winners), 52 points, 106 penalty minutes and a plus-30 rating in 63 games.
20. Arizona Coyotes (from New York Rangers) - Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack (BCHL)
Cholowski (6-0, 170) had 12 goals and 40 points in 50 games. He thinks and processes the game exceptionally well and knows where to go with the puck to elude forecheck pressure. He's committed to St. Cloud State University for next season.
21. Carolina Hurricanes (from Los Angeles Kings) - Tage Thompson, C, University of Connecticut (H-EAST)
Thompson (6-5, 185) has good size and scoring prowess but needs time to mature and bulk up before moving to the next level. The right-shooting forward led the NCAA with 13 power-play goals and had 14 goals and 32 points in 36 games.
22. Winnipeg Jets (from Chicago Blackhawks) - Rasmus Asplund, C, Farjestad (SWE)
The 5-11, 176-pound left-shot forward is considered a great competitor and leader on and off the ice. He had four goals and 12 points in 46 games. He compensates for a lack of size with his smarts and how he uses the ice.
23. Florida Panthers - Kieffer Bellows, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
Bellows (6-0, 196), committed to Boston University for 2016-17, is a pure goal scorer capable of getting pucks on goal from any angle. He led the NTDP U-18 team with 50 goals, 12 power-play goals and nine game-winning goals, and was second with 81 points in 62 games.
24. Anaheim Ducks - Riley Tufte, LW, Blaine (HIGH-MN)
The 2016 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award winner is committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2016-17. Tufte (6-4, 205) had 47 goals, 78 points, six power-play goals and 10 game-winning goals in 25 games.
25. Dallas Stars - Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)
A valuable team player capable of helping the power play, Howden (6-2, 193) had 24 goals and 64 points in 68 regular-season games, and 15 points in 10 WHL playoff games.
26. Washington Capitals - German Rubtsov, C, Team Russia U-18 (RUS)
Rubtsov (6-2, 178) plays an honest, two-way game and is skilled and strong in traffic areas. He had 12 goals, 26 points and a plus-12 rating in 28 regular-season games.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning - Logan Stanley, D, Windsor (OHL)
The left-shot defender has enough mobility to handle speedy forwards and defend well against most rushes. Stanley (6-7, 225) had five goals, 17 points and 103 penalty minutes in 64 games.
28. St. Louis Blues - Boris Katchouk, LW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Katchouk (6-1, 192) plays an in-your-face style similar to that of Blues forward Troy Brouwer. He had 24 goals, 51 points and 61 penalty minutes in 63 games.
*29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose Sharks) - Pascal Laberge, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
The 6-1, 172-pound, right-shot forward is regarded for his high-level competitiveness and willingness to go to the dirty areas to score goals. He led Victoriaville with 68 points in 56 games and was named MVP of the 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.
*30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh Penguins) - Kale Clague, D, Brandon (WHL)
Clague (5-11, 177) can elude defenders and make the solid first pass off the transition. He had six goals, 43 points and a plus-25 rating in 71 regular-season games, and 14 points in 21 playoff games to help Brandon win the WHL championship.
*- to be determined at end of Stanley Cup Final
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